Remote Control Software

[MJN]

Hi everyone,

I'd be very grateful if anybody could offer ideas as to what my be causing some problems...

The last time I had cause to update my remote (555) was sometime last year - perhaps as far back as July 2009. Since that time I have replaced my PC (and now run Windows 7) and today I installed v7.7.0 of the Harmony software as I wanted to make a minor change to the remote's configuration.

Having made the configuration change (changing the volume button function in the 'Watch TV' activity) I seem to be unable to update the remote and, despite it going through the motions, I end up getting an 'Unable to display content' error and the remote's configuration remains unaltered.

I did manage to capture some output from the status box if it helps diagnose the issue / rule anything out:

Initializing services
Getting remote control information
Logitech Harmony Remote Software version: 7.7.0
Hardware version: Board 3.0.0 (0xFF:0x12)
Firmware version: 3.0
Getting remote control information - Successful
Checking version information
Checking version information - Successful
Waking the remote control
Waking the remote control - Successful
Getting remote control states
Getting remote control states - Successful
Uploading remote control information to web
Initializing the remote control. Please wait...
Uploading remote control information to web - Successful
Finished
<it was at this point that the error screen appeared>

I was wondering if it relates to the fact that I have not updated the remote for such a long time? Also, I'm pretty sure that the last version of the Harmony software that I used (on the old PC) was older than v7.7.0 so I wondered if my existing account settings may be causing issue with the new software?

I have tried the suggested fix in the knowledgebase to no avail (this one - it suggests going through the activity wizard to check that every activity has an answer set for each question).

Any ideas? More than happy to provide further details if required.

Many thanks,

Mathew

[bloodyfool0]

I have exactly the same problem using the software and also at the web remote service. This problem only appeared in the last few days. I updated the remote about a week ago without any problems whatsoever.

[MJN]

Ah okay, perhaps that means it's not necessarilly something particular to my setup. That said, this particular error seems to have a whole variety of potential causes.

I raised a support query and they've requested my account login this morning so hopefully they'll be able to take a look. I'll repost if, or hopefully when, it's sorted.

Mathew

[bloodyfool0]

Thanks. Look forward to any update you have.

[bloodyfool0]

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MJN wrote:

I raised a support query and they've requested my account login this morning so hopefully they'll be able to take a look. I'll repost if, or hopefully when, it's sorted.

Mathew

---

Matthew,

Any news/update on this issue?

[MJN]

Hi,

I'm afraid there's no update just yet. I raised a call with support on the 3rd August and it got raised to 2nd line on the 7th and I'm still waiting for a response - I guess they must be very busy at the moment.

It's frustrating really as whilst I'm well aware of the inadequacies of the software/programming side of things I've always known that if I persevere with it the end results are worth it. The last year or so have not required me to make any changes to my configuration and so I've been able to enjoy the remote for what it's intended for... There is therefore an enormous feeling of disappointment to have cause to make a minor change and face over a week's delay (and counting) in getting it sorted.

On a related note, perhaps I am too forgiving of the situation as whilst I can just about live with the necessary workarounds until support can help me out, my family cannot understand why the remote simply doesn't do what they expect it to do and so are banging on at me to get a new one! Does anyone have any suggestions as to what I ought to be considering if it comes to the point of ditching this one?

Mathew

[MJN]

I'm sorted!

2nd line got back to me having identified the issue... Apparently I had attempted to make some changes to the 'Additional Buttons' (i.e. LCD soft-keys) settings in the Sounds/Buttons mode of one my activities. To paraphrase what the support guy said, apparently those configuration options are something of a glitch in the configuration software and hence I should not attempt to use/change them.

He removed whatever setting I'd made (thinking back, I think I actually removed some assignments from that page as I don't use the Sound/Picture buttons and hence wondered why some of my LCD customisations were already set in there - I think that's probably what glitch he was referring to) and now my remote updates and works fine.

If that sounds confusing, my apologies however I'm still confused about these buttons and what I can and cannot do. Moral of the story - stay well away from the Sound/Picture buttons! (a quick Google suggests they are something of an oddity and not present on all remotes).

This is evidently a known issue - what a shame the software couldn't have told me what the problem was or stopped me from doing wrong in the first place!

Edit: I've found an old forum post which describes this issue and how it occurs if any attempts are made to use the sound/picture functions in a 'generic' activity rather than a standard one. I do seem to recall that I always set up generic activities - can't remember why (it either gives more control or there was some other benefit?) - and so this'll have been the case for me. I note how Mark says it is not an error in software... I dare say not everyone would share that opinion!

Mathew

[woodpond]

I just now posted my first message to this board on same "unable to display content" problem. I didn't see yours first. Can't help you. I'm stuck myself Woodpond

[MJN]

Mine's fixed! (see above)

For what it's worth it seems that the 'Unable to display content' error is something of a configuration compiling error hence it's potential causes seem to be many and varied. I would raise a support call if I were you as they always seem to be able to get to the bottom of it (I guess there's only so many things that can go wrong so they know what to look for).

Mathew

[bloodyfool0]

Thank you for posting the updates. I will most likely contact support via email tonight